Flag of Finland: Google Images
Broadband: The Finns Are Putting Us to Shame
THE TELEGRAPH: Is broadband a human right? The Finnish government thinks so. From today, all Finns have the right to at least a one megabit-per-second internet connection. That’s not staggeringly fast. The UK average internet speed, for example, is around 3.6mbps.

However, by 2015, the Finnish government is promising its people blazingly fast 100mbps connections. That leaves our government’s commitment to speeds of 2mbps for all by 2012 looking rather mediocre.

Almost the entire Finnish population is online – 96 per cent of them, in fact. Granted there are only 5.3 million people in Finland – fewer than live in London – but given that their country is one of Europe’s most sparsely-populated, managing to connect such a huge proportion is quite impressive. Continue reading and comment >>> Shane Richmond | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Finland: Internet Access a Legal Right

Al-Qaeda Newspaper: Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom
THE TELEGRAPH: Al-Qaeda has opened a new front in war on the West, launching its own English-language internet newspaper, which features articles such as "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom".

Its tag-line is "Inspire the Believers" and its first front page features a quotation by the radical Yemeni-American cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki: "May our souls be sacrificed for you".

The magazine claims to be published by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), whose leaders are the most prominent propagandists of any of the group's branches.

The full magazine is not yet online, but the contents page offers messages from both Osama bin Laden and his second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri. It also advertises a piece by Awlaki entitled: "Shaykh Anwar's message to the American people and Muslims in the West".

Other articles include a question-and-answer session with the leader of AQAP, Nasir al-Wuhayshi, also known by his nom de guerre, Abu Basir, and a tantalising piece offering a "detailed yet short, easy-to-read manual on how to make a bomb using ingredients found in a kitchen".

It says the title comes from a Koranic verse "Inspire the believers to fight". "It is jihad that gives this nation life," its Letter from the Editor states. "We survive through jihad and perish without it." >>> Richard Spencer in Dubai | Thursday, July 01, 2010

’Help Us Save Our Mother’: Pleas from the Children of ‘Adulterous’ Iranian Woman Who Faces Death by Stoning
MAIL ONLINE: An Iranian mother-of-two faces death by stoning after being convicted of adultery.

Amnesty International today urged the Iranian authorities to halt the execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

The human rights organisation describes stoning as a ‘grotesque and unacceptable penalty which Iran should abolish immediately’.

Ashtiani’s children joined in with a heart-breaking appeal to the international community to help spare their mother’s life.

‘Please help end this nightmare and do not let it turn into a reality,’ begged her daughter, Farideh, 16, and her son, Sajad, 20.

‘Explaining the minutes and seconds of our lives is very difficult. Words lose their meaning in these agonising moments. Help us save our mother.’

Ashtiani, 43, was convicted of having an ‘illicit relationship’ with two men in May 2006 and received 99 lashes as her sentence.

Despite this, she was later convicted of ‘adultery while being married’ and was sentenced to death by stoning. >>> Michael Theodoulou | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Muslim Pupils Taken Out of Music Lessons 'Because Islam Forbids Playing an Instrument'
Pupils in a music class at a primary school: Some Muslim families have withdrawn children for religious reasons. Photo: Mail Online
MAIL ONLINE: Muslim pupils are being withdrawn from music lessons because some families believe learning an instrument is anti-Islamic, it emerged today.

An investigation has discovered that Muslim pupils are being taken out of school music classes even though the subject is a compulsory part of the national curriculum.

While parents have legal rights to withdraw children from religious and sex education classes, no automatic right exists to pull them out of subjects such as music.

One education expert said that up to half of Muslim pupils were withdrawn from music lessons during Ramadan.

And The Muslim Council of Britain said music lessons were likely to be unacceptable to around 10 per cent of the Muslim population in Britain.

However, in certain branches of Islam - such as Sufism, which is dominant in Pakistan and India - devotional music and singing is actually central to the religion.

A BBC investigation found that in one London primary school, 20 pupils were removed from rehearsals for a Christmas musical and one five-year-old girl remains permanently withdrawn from mainstream music classes.

Some Muslims believe that playing musical instruments and singing is forbidden according to Islam. >>> Laura Clark, Education Correspondent | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Sons Watch Spy Suspects Appear in Handcuffs and Shackles
Donald Heathfield and Ann Foley. Photographs: The Times
THE TIMES: Two accused Russian spies appeared in leg irons today in a Boston court, where their lawyers were granted extra time to prepare their defence in a spy case that has driven oil slicks off America’s front pages and prompted an international manhunt in the eastern Mediterranean.

Seven more of the alleged Russian agents were due in court tonight to seek bail against daunting odds as the search for their supposed ringleader continued in Cyprus, and Washington expressed its dismay over his release on Wednesday.

Christopher Metsos, the alleged bag-carrier for many of the suspected “sleepers”, was still at large after the astonishing decision by a Cypriot judge to release him on a €26,500 bond.

A dejected senior Cypriot legal official told The Times today that Mr Metsos “probably went to the north and has left from there already”, referring to the strong possibility that Metsos has crossed into the self-declared Turkish Republic. >>> Giles Whittell, Washington and Michael Theodoulou, Nicosia | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Pakistan : un triple attentat kamikaze fait des dizaines de morts
Les forces de l'ordre inspectent les lieux du triple attentat-suicide qui s'est produit dans le sanctuaire de Lahore le 1er juillet, tuant au moins 35 personnes. Photo : Le Monde
LE MONDE: Au moins 35 personnes ont été tuées et 175 blessées dans trois attentats-suicides qui ont frappé jeudi 1er juillet le sanctuaire soufi de Datar Darbar, à Lahore, dans le nord-est du Pakistan, proche de la frontière indienne. Les explosions ont eu lieu dans l'immense complexe situé au cœur de la ville, qui abrite le tombeau d'un saint soufi et dans lequel des centaines de pèlerins se rassemblent chaque jeudi soir, a expliqué sur les chaînes de télévision le plus haut responsable de la mairie de Lahore, où vivent près de 10 millions de Pakistanais. >>> LeMonde.fr avec Reuters et AFP | Jeudi 01 Juillet 2010

Geheimtreffen: USA drängen Israelis und Türken zur Versöhnung
WELT ONLINE: Ankaras Außenminister spricht in Brüssel mit Jerusalems Handelsminister – Die USA wollen die verhärteten Fronten aufweichen.

Der türkische Außenminister Ahmet Davutoglu (im Bild) kam in Brüssel mit dem israelischen Handelsminister Benjamin Ben Elieser zusammen. Die Politiker wollen das Verhältnis beider Länder entspannen. Bild: Welt Online
Die türkische Delegation war in Feierstimmung. Drei Minister samt großer Entourage und Journalisten reisten am Mittwochmorgen in Brüssel an, um mit EU-Kommission und Europäischem Rat ein weiteres Beitrittskapitel zu eröffnen. Seit vergangenem Dezember konnte Ankara keinen Erfolg mehr auf dem Weg zur Mitgliedschaft vorweisen. Die Begeisterung in der Türkei für den EU-Beitritt sinkt immer weiter.

Zugleich kriselt es zwischen Ankara und dem Westen. Grund dafür ist das Nein der Türkei im UN-Sicherheitsrat zu Sanktionen gegen Iran. Auch die anhaltende scharfe Auseinandersetzung zwischen der türkischen Regierung und Israel nach dem Angriff auf die „Gaza-Flotille“ sorgt für Spannungen.

Offensichtlich bemüht sich Ankara jetzt aber darum, die verhärteten Fronten aufzuweichen. Während die Delegation im Brüsseler Ratsgebäude an letzten Details feilte, setzte sich ein Mann heimlich ab. Der türkische Außenminister Ahmet Davutoglu verschwand, begleitet von seinem Staatssekretär und dem EU-Botschafter, für mehrere Stunden in ein nahe gelegenes Hotel. >>> Von S. Bolzen und M. Borgstede | Donnerstag, 01. Juli 2010

Schweden schafft die Wehrpflicht ab
WELT ONLINE: 109 Jahre Pflichtdienst an der Waffe sind Geschichte – Schweden fürchtet längst keinen Einmarsch der Russen mehr.

In Uniform und mit Tarnfarbe im Gesicht nimmt Kronprinzessin Victoria von Schweden 2003 in der Kaserne der Stadt Södertälje an einer militärischen Übung zur Bergung Verletzter teil. Künftig werden junge Schweden nicht mehr zum Dienst an der Waffe herangezogen. Bild: Welt Online
Das Ende der Wehrpflicht war noch einmal Ausdruck allen Pflichtgefühls von Militär und dessen Vertretern. Auf dem Platz des königlichen Schlosses in Stockholm schritt der Oberbefehlshaber der schwedischen Streitkräfte, Sverker Göranson, die letzte aus Wehrpflichtigen bestehenden Garde der Schlosswache ab. Medaillen wurden verliehen. Alles hatte seine Ordnung. Schweden hat sich von der Wehrpflicht verabschiedet – nach 109 Jahren und vier Millionen Rekruten in Uniform.

Nahezu geräuschlos ging dieser Abschied vonstatten. Dabei ist es für das nach militärischen Maßstäben kleine Schweden ein bedeutender Schritt. „Das hier ist die größte Veränderung des schwedischen Militärs in den vergangenen 100 Jahren“, sagt Anders Karlsson. Der sozialdemokratische Abgeordnete und Verteidigungsexperte findet starke Worte, wenn er die Abschaffung der allgemeinen Wehrpflicht in seinem Land beschreiben soll. >>> Von C. Bomsdorf und E. Jung | Mittwoch, 30. Juni 2010

France : Affaire Bettencourt: procès reporté
LE TEMPS: Le tribunal de Nanterre a reporté, sine die, le procès de François-Marie Banier, photographe mondain soupçonné d’abus de faiblesse sur Liliane Bettencourt, la milliardaire française héritière de l’empire cosmétique L’Oréal

La présidente du tribunal, Isabelle Prévost-Desprez, s’est auto désignée pour conduire le complément d’enquête qui visera notamment des enregistrements clandestins de la milliardaire où apparaît le nom du ministre français du Travail Eric Woerth. Plus tôt, la défense du photographe François-Marie Banier avait demandé le renvoi du procès, estimant «nauséabonde», cette affaire qui a pris un tour politique.

Figure du tout-Paris, photographe des stars, François-Marie Banier, 63 ans, est accusé par la fille de la femme la plus riche de France, Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers, d’avoir profité de la fragilité de sa mère pour se faire remettre près d’un milliard d’euros dans les années 1990 et 2000. >>> AFP | Jeudi 01 Juillet 2010

La Turquie confirme une rencontre secrète avec Israël
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: PROCHE-ORIENT | Une source officielle turque a confirmé jeudi que le ministre turc des Affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu et le ministre israélien du Commerce Benjamin Ben Eliezer se sont rencontrés en secret tenter de surmonter la crise entre les deux pays.

La rencontre "a eu lieu hier (mercredi) à Bruxelles à la demande d'Israël", a déclaré un responsable turc, parlant sous le couvert de l'anonymat. "Nous avons déjà transmis une note à Israël expliquant nos attentes à leur égards (...) Ces attentes ont été réitérées lors de la rencontre", a-t-il ajouté.

Les médias israéliens avaient annoncé mercredi cette entrevue, mais elle n'avait été que partiellement confirmée par le bureau du Premier ministre israélien Benjamin Netanyahu, qui avait déclaré avoir autorisé une telle rencontre. Selon la deuxième chaîne de télévision israélienne et l'agence italienne Adnkronos, la rencontre a eu lieu à Zurich.

Selon la chaîne d'information turque NTV, les entretiens, qui visaient à apaiser les tensions suscitées par l'assaut de la flottille d'aide à Gaza, doivent se poursuivre. On ignore toutefois où et quand, ajoute NTV. >>> ATS | Jeudi 01 Juillet 2010

Rio's Christ the Redeemer Statue Re-opened after £2.7m Face Lift
Brazilian Catholics attend the reopening of the renewed Christ the Redeemer statue at the Corcovado hill, in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: The Telegraph
THE TELEGRAPH: Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue is back in plain sight after a four-month long £2.7 million renovation. >>> | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Related article here

Meryl Streep to Play Baroness Thatcher in Hollywood Movie
THE TELEGRAPH: Baroness Thatcher may be played by the Hollywood star Meryl Streep in a movie of the former British prime minister's life.

The biopic titled "Thatcher" will focus on the period immediately prior to the Falklands war, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Producers are said to be in talks with Streep, one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood, who is seen as one of the few women capable of convincingly playing Lady Thatcher.

However, they may face concerns over how an American will be received playing the part, and suggestions that it should go to a British actress.

The film's producers are said to be lining up British actor Jim Broadbent to play Lady Thatcher's husband Denis. >>> Nick Allen in Los Angeles | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Pakistan and Iran 'Backing Afghan Attacks on British Troops'
THE TELEGRAPH: Bomb attacks that are killing British troops in Afghanistan are being funded and supplied from Iran and Pakistan, a senior officer has said.

Major General Gordon Messenger also revealed that Taliban insurgents are altering their tactics to launch more long-range sniper attacks on Nato forces.

A total of 309 British personnel have died in Afghanistan sine 2001. Many have been killed by improvised explosive devices, bombs planted along roads and pathways[.]

The general, the spokesman for Britain’s mission in Afghanistan, said that UK forces and Afghan civilians now face an “unprecedented threat” from such devices.

Maj Gen Messenger told reporters in London that British military intelligence has found “evidence” that some of the IED attacks are being supported from outside Afghanistan.

“We are looking beyond Afghanistan in terms of the provision of some of the more sophisticated components and the provision of finance,” he said. “There is evidence that something is coming in from Iran, something is coming in from Pakistan.”

Some reports have suggested that military chiefs and intelligence agencies in both Pakistan and Iran are supporting the Taliban.

Last month, a London School of Economics report said that Pakistan’s ISI intelligence service gives extensive backing to the Afghan insurgency. >>> James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Elin Lays Down the Law with Tiger Woods in '$890 Million Divorce Settlement': Report
No more playing happy families ... Tiger Woods is reportedly set to payout a record sum of money to wife Elin Nordegren as part of divorce settlement. Photograph: The Sydney Morning Herald
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: Tiger Woods will not be allowed to let future girlfriends near his children in a $890 million reported divorce settlement with Elin Nordegren.

The record payout, reported by The Sun in London, stipulates that the golfer will only introduce the couple's two children Sam and Charlie to a new woman if he marries her.

In exchange, Nordegren has agreed to never speak publicly about Woods's alleged affairs with up to as many as 20 women, including socialite Rachel Uchitel, porn star Joslyn James and reality television star Jaimee Grubbs.

An unnamed "pal" told the tabloid: "Elin is desperate to protect the children from the womanising side of their father.
"Tiger's main fear is her telling her story after he's rebuilt his reputation, sending him back to the gutter."

Swedish Nordegren, a former model, will receive double the amount of money she orginally asked for after her lawyers proved Woods, 34, was worth much more than the $US1 billion ($1.19 billion) she had estimated. >>> smh.com.au | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Related articles and videos here

Police Reopen Gore Sex Assault Investigation
Al Gore. Photo: Fox News
FOX NEWS: PORTLAND, Oregon -- Police said Wednesday they are reopening an investigation into an Oregon massage therapist's allegations that former Vice President Al Gore groped her at an upscale hotel in 2006.

In a brief statement, the Portland Police Bureau did not say why it was reopening the investigation. Police earlier said they considered the case closed because there was no evidence.

Kalee Kreider, a spokeswoman for Gore, said the former vice president "unequivocally and emphatically" denied making unwanted sexual advances toward the woman and that he welcomed the investigation.

"Further investigation into this matter will only benefit Mr. Gore," Kreider said. >>> Associated Press | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Related article here

Christopher Hitchens Halts Book Tour for Chemotherapy
THE TELEGRAPH: British-born author Christopher Hitchens has cut short a book tour to undergo chemotherapy.

"I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my oesophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice," Hitchens, 61, said in a statement released through his publishers Twelve.

The company issued a statement saying the author was being given privacy during the treatments. Hitchens, known to be a heavy smoker, >>> | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Osama bin Laden. Image: Google Images
Al Qaeda to Launch English-language Online Newspaper
THE TELEGRAPH: Al-Qaeda is preparing to launch its first online propaganda newspaper in English, a move that could help the terror group recruit inside the US and Europe.

The group has begun promoting the paper, called Inspire, with animated online graphics promising a "special gift to the Islamic nation."

Counterterrorism officials and terror analysts say it will be run by al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen, which has been linked to the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt of a US-bound airliner.

The launch suggests that, as al-Qaeda's core has been weakened by CIA drone airstrikes, the group hopes to broaden its reach inside the US, where officials have seen a spate of homegrown terrorists.

The new publication "is clearly intended for the aspiring jihadist in the US or UK who may be the next Fort Hood murderer or Times Square bomber," Bruce Riedel, a Brookings Institution scholar and former CIA officer, said. >>> | Thursday, July 01, 2010

Full Court Press on Illegal Immigration

Judge Grants Israeli Spy Asylum: Son of Hamas founder, Mosab Hassan Yousef, turned spy for Israel avoids deportation


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Trouble Brewing Between Clintons and Obama?: Dick Morris on whether former first couple is trying to undermine the president